Irina was gone. She had disappeared leaving most of her stuff behind, probably not to be slowed down in her race to the end. Junior collapsed on his knees.
JUNIOR
NOOOO!!! PLEASE DON’T TELL ME!!
Desperately exclaimed Junior.
JUNIOR
STUPID, STUPID, STUPID! How could I be so stupid?!
LWAZI
What the hell is going on?
Alarmed by all the cursing, Lwazi emerged from the tent. Junior pointed at Irina's empty sleeping bag.
LWAZI
Where is she?
JUNIOR
She's gone...
LWAZI
GONE?!
JUNIOR
Gone...
Junior dragged himself up and said,
JUNIOR
It's still quite dark and we have the only torch. She probably only left a short while ago.
trying to calm himself down,
JUNIOR
We need to get to her, QUICKLY!
but failed.
LWAZI
What are you talking about? You're the only one who knows the way! How could she be gone?
JUNIOR
You see that hill up there?
He pointed at the sombrero-shaped hill.
JUNIOR
Once we get up there, we should be able to see the finish line. I think she figured it out last night...
LWAZI
What are we waiting for? Let's go!
JUNIOR
Right! Just grab some water and the binoculars.
They hurriedly gathered their things and set forth climbing as high as they could towards the fateful Sombrero Hill. Desperation was fuelling their ascent, for if Irina had done what they feared, that would mean the end of their selection.
Once they got on top of the hill, the sun had fully risen, and they could clearly see a glint in the distance. Lwazi raised the binoculars and peered at it.
LWAZI
It's the ship!
JUNIOR
What ship?
LWAZI
What ship do you think? The clones' ship!
JUNIOR
Can you see Irina?
Lwazi carefully scanned the landscape in front of them.
LWAZI
I can't see her...
JUNIOR
She must be there!
LWAZI
I don't know what to tell you, mate, I cannot see her!
JUNIOR
Gimme that!
He yanked the binoculars out of Lwazi's hands.
LWAZI
Hey!
He protested, but Junior didn't care. He looked left and right, up and down, hoping with all his might he could find her.
JUNIOR
She must be somewhere around here, she must!
LWAZI
She is...
JUNIOR
I KNOW!
LWAZI
I mean, I can see her...
JUNIOR
WHAT?! WHERE?!
Lwazi was pointing in the direction where they had made camp last night.
LWAZI
There she is...
There she was. Irina was hastily walking towards them, carrying everything Junior and Lwazi had left behind.
They sprinted down the hill, calling out to her. Once she saw them running headed for her, she dropped everything she was holding and waited for them.
JUNIOR
Irina, thank God!
Junior exclaimed, approaching her.
JUNIOR
I am so happ...
Irina punched him hard in the stomach.
IRINA
You lying piece of dirt! Why did you leave me behind?
JUNIOR
We didn't... I couldn't find you...
Said Junior, rolling on the ground in pain.
JUNIOR
We thought you had gone on alone!
Irina kicked him hard in the shin.
IRINA
Tsk!
She scoffed.
JUNIOR
Where were you?
She kicked him in the other shin.
IRINA
That is none of your business. What are you looking at?
She shouted at Lwazi.
LWAZI
Nothing...
IRINA
Good. You grab my bag!
Lwazi dutifully picked up his own bag and Irina's.
IRINA
Which way, Space?
JUNIOR
You don't know?
IRINA
Of course I don't know!
JUNIOR
Then how did you find us?
Irina pondered her thoughts for a moment, then answered.
IRINA
I chose well.
JUNIOR
Hahaha... serves me right...
Junior struggled up and, together with Irina and Lwazi, as a team, they successfully completed the course in the desert.
